Tacos With A Twist

With all the changes going around the world, getting a family pleasing, healthy dinner on the table can sound great but it can also take time.  We got the perfect meal for you. Got  twenty minutes for a family pleaser meal that’s easy and on your budget?  Turn your tacos into Taco Bowls. Add some vegetables and cut back on the meat for a hearty and healthy meal with the great taco taste almost everyone loves.

Increase the nutrition in your meals while using your time effectively.  A few make-ahead ingredients, like cooked rice and salsa, can cut cooking time down to 20 minutes. No need to make separate dishes to go with your tacos, everything goes in one delicious bowl.

A little planning ahead:

  • Get  the best-in-season additions  from  Harvest Home farmers’ markets near you like: Corn, tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, onions, and greens. A great way to add essential vitamins and minerals to your meals.

  • Skip the meat or limit the amount you use, add more vegetables instead for a hardier meal.

  • Cook brown rice the night or day before as it takes the longest to cook. Brown rice has fewer calories, lots more fiber than white rice. Better to maintain a healthy weight and digestion.

  • Check your leftovers for any vegetables that can be added to your meal.  Just cut into small pieces and add at the end

Make your favorite taco recipe or try the suggestion below. Add low fat chips around the sides of your bowl to look like a taco bowl. If you are feeling creative and have the time, check the video for ways to make your own taco shell bowls and avoid processed oils. Whichever way you decide to make your meal, these taco dishes are fast and easy and best of all, they are loaded with nutrition.

Taco Bowls

RECIPE: Taco Bowls with a new twists

Turn Tacos into new meals 

BASIC TACOS (for those who don’t have a favorite recipe)

INGREDIENTS          

  • 1 cup cooked brown rice

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 pound ground turkey

  • 2 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning or make your own (See below)

  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 2 cups corn from the cob (raw or cooked)

  • 3 tomatoes, diced

  • You can use lean beef. Just check for fat content

TO MAKE:

  • Heat olive oil in large pan. Add ground meat and cook until browned (3-5 minutes), crumbling the meat as you cook. Stir in taco seasoning.  Drain off extra fat.

  • Divide rice into bowls. Top with meat mixture

  • Add black beans, corn and tomatoes

Add more: Avocado, sliced cucumbers, chopped greens, grated cheese. Any fresh veggies you like.

TACO SEASONING: Mix together and store in air tight container

  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder

  • ¼ teaspoon each  of garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon paprika

  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon pepper

TIPS: Have some Fun

Make your own Taco Bowls: Just like the restaurants

  • For large taco  bowls: Place warmed tortilla over a flat bottomed bowl on a cookie sheet. Wrap tightly in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 10 more minutes for crispy bowl

Tasty Additions to Tacos and their health benefits

  • Avocados:  Powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that help keep your heart and eyes healthy and improve your digestion.

  • Cucumbers: High in water content to keep you hydrated and antioxidants to protect cells from free radicals.

  • Tomatoes: Boost your immune system, help lower cholesterol for a healthier heart and better blood pressure. Good for the eyes.

  • Peppers: High in vitamins C for better eye health and proper function of the immune system.

  • Corn: Full of antioxidants; good for eyes and heart.

  • Greens: Lowers high blood pressure and help prevent heart disease and strokes.

  • Cheese: Like most dairy products helps build bones, but keep an eye on the calories.